This house, which dates from 1606 and in which Rembrandt lived between 1639 and 1658, exhibits 250 of the 300 etchings Rembrandt created. Rembrandt was thirty-two when he moved into his charming house on Breestraat and he was at that point fully launched on a successful career. In 1658 however, Rembrandt was forced to leave the house and he was declared bankrupt. It might be interesting to know that the bankruptcy came about because the company who commissioned the famous "Night Watch" was dissatisfied with the painting, which eventually ruined his career!

Collection of the Rembrandthuis 

The rooms of the house show paintings by Rembrandt's contemporaries, his pupils and his teacher Pieter Lastman. The new wing of the museum houses a virtually complete overview of Rembrandt's graphic arts work. Of the approximately 300 etchings Rembrandt made, 250 are on display in the Rembrandt House. The museum is also the proud owner of four of Rembrandt's copper etching plates. Rembrandt´s studio is the first reconstructed seventeenth-century artist´s studio in the Netherlands that is permanently open to the public. The same is true of his Cabinet, or curio room. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum presents changing exhibitions which highlight, directly or indirectly, certain aspects of Rembrandt's work.

Inventory

After Rembrandt bought the house in 1639, he got himself into considerable debt. Rembrandt was a collector as well as an artist and spent a fortune on everything that fascinated him. Rembrandt was not able to pay his creditors for many years and in June 1656 he filed for bankruptcy. All his valuable possessions were sold. An inventory was made per room of the furniture, works of art and implements which were auctioned off in 1656 and 1657. This inventory was a great aid in refurbishing the ten rooms in Rembrandt's house. Wherever possible, only materials and objects of the period have been used. After the renovation, which took place in 1998 and 1999, the interior, once again, looks exactly like it did in the 17th century. After more than three hundred years, the Rembrandt house is once again Rembrandt's house!

Location

The Rembrandt House Museum

Jodenbreestraat 4

1011 NK Amsterdam

More information
www.rembrandthuis.nl